2014 BMW X5

The third-generation BMW X5 will be sold with 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel power and optional rear-wheel-drive in a move that endows the luxuriously equipped SUV with claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of just 5.6 litres per 100km and carbon dioxide emissions that better many contemporary compact cars at just 149g/km.

Pictured here in a series of official photographs ahead of a planned public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the new X5 will go on sale in Australia in early 2014.

The decision to expand the choice of engines with the new BMW luxury SUV to include a four-cylinder engine mirrors the move made by Mercedes-Benz with its latest ML-Class.

However, BMW's move to offer rear-wheel-drive represents a first in the hotly contested luxury SUV ranks, following the 2WD lead set by smaller, more affordable SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.

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Developed under the internal codename F15, the new X5 has been progressed in a typical-for-BMW evolutionary approach that sees it retain its upright profile and traditional features such as its two piece tailgate.

Distinguishing touches include a bolder front end with a more prominent kidney grille, LED imbued headlamps that butt up against the chrome surround of the grille and a more heavily contoured bumper with so-called air curtain ducts on the lower outer edges that help to channel air more efficiency through the front wheel houses to a vertical duct sited behind the front wheel arches called the air blade, as seen on the recently introduced 3-Series GT.

Overall, the new SUV receives a more structured look than its predecessor, with greater contouring within the bonnet, a more pronounced shoulder line and an added feature line within the lower section of the doors – all of which is aimed at reducing its visual bulk. Prominent tall windows remain a key design feature – following on from the original model (codenamed E53) launched in 1999 and second-generation model (E70) in 2008.

At 4886mm in length, 1938mm in width and 1762mm in height, the new X5 is 32mm longer, 5mm wider and 14mm taller than its predecessor. In keeping with the evolutionary approach BMW has taken with the new upmarket SUV, it shares its 2933mm wheelbase with the second-generation X5 but the front and rear tracks have been shortened by 4mm both front and rear to 1640mm and 1646mm, endowing it with a slightly smaller footprint.

Inside, the new X5 has been given a more luxurious interior with styling that follows the lineage of recent BMW models. Buyers will get the option of two rear seat configurations: a fixed 40:20:40 bench arrangement and a newly developed bench configured in a 70:30 arrangement that adjusts longitudinally to free up leg space for an optional third row of seats that now come with a so-called comfort seat option.

Boot capacity for the new X5 is up by 30 litres at 650 litres, rising to 1870 litres when the second and third seat rows are folded away.

As part of a improved range of infotainment features as part of its ConnectedDrive initiative, the new BMW X5 will also offer full internet access, in-car use of Facebook, Twitter and other on-line services as well as a dictation function with speech recognition for e-mails, SMS text messages.

BMW’s new SUV is based around a lightly modified version of the existing model’s monocoque steel platform. A series of lightweight construction initiatives, including the use of a greater percentage of hot formed high strength steel within the floorpan, has led to a reduction in weight over the old X5.

In standard xDrive30d guise, BMW claims a kerb weight of 2070kg – 80kg less than the outgoing model despite the slight increase in external dimensions and more flexible interior appointments.

The independent suspension is a development of that used by the old model, with a combination of double wishbones up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

Buyers will be able to choose between four different suspension tunes: a basic steel sprung set-up and three optional suspension set-ups with air springs – comfort, dynamic and professional. The latter two come with adaptive damping and also receive BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control system, as seen on the X6, with a mechanically operated torque vectoring system on the rear axle for added agility.

A development of the reworked chassis is earmarked for the second-generation X6 set to be revealed at the Moscow motor show in mid-2014.

The new X5 appears set to be sold with the choice of three engines from the start of Australian sales in early 2013. All will come mated to an updated version of BMW’s eight-speed automatic gearbox with new stop/start and coasting functions, bringing about improved performance credentials and reduced combined cycle fuel consumption that sees them meet the upcoming tough new EU6 emission regulations due to come into force in September 2014. All diesel units receive urea injection for reduced nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions. Four-wheel-drive will remain standard on all but two models.

Included in the launch line-up is a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol unit that produces 330kW in the xDrive50i, a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder common rail diesel with 190kW in the xDrive30d and BMW’s heavily lauded triple turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder common rail diesel that kicks out a sturdy 280kW in the performance orientated xDrive M50d, which is claimed to hit 100km/h from standstill in 5.3 seconds, reach a top speed limited to 250km/h while returning 6.7L/100km and average CO2 emissions of 177g/km.

A further three engine options will be added to the line-up shortly after launch, including the first four-cylinder to find its way into the X5, a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel making 160kW. The new base engine will be available in both the four-wheel-drive xDrive25d and, in a first for the X5, rear-wheel-drive sDrive25d, which is claimed to boast combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km and average CO2 emissions of 149g/km.

Also planned is a powered up version of the turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder common rail diesel with 230kW in the xDrive40d and a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with 225kW in the Xdrive35i – the latter of which will also be sold in rear-wheel drive sDrive35i form in selected markets but not yet confirmed for Australia.

BMW is yet to announce plans for a successor to today’s X5 M, although indications are it will be added to the line-up in 2014 in combination with a follow up to the existing X6 M. Both are set to receive a reworked version of the 420kW twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 used in the M5 and M6.

Despite a strong focus on the hybrid loving American market, BMW will launch the new X5 without a petrol-electric or diesel-electric hybrid driveline option. “The growing demand for diesel, especially in the US market, has led to a decision to launch the new X5 without hybrid drive. It is not something we see as a priority right now,” a BMW official revealed to Drive.

The new X5 will continue roll from BMW’s US production line in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It will be assembled alongside the X3, X6 and a production version of the German car maker’s X4 Concept, which is planned to see Australian sale by the third-quarter of 2014.

Since its introduction to the German car maker’s line-up in 1999, the X5 has racked up more than 1.3 million sales worldwide – almost 700,000 of which the second-generation model sold in Australia since 2008.

40 comments so far

Plenty of people bought a 2WD Territory.People need to get over the whole SUV thing. Some people like the volumes of room and the visibility.

Commenter

Timothy

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 10:14AM

At the expense of everyone else's safety. Meh, indicative of the selfish world we now live in.

Commenter

Seriously

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 10:29AM

That's crazy talk. No self-respecting Eastern Suburbs or Lower Nth Shore mum would be caught dead in a small efficient car. X5, RR Sport or Cayenne Turbo's with at least 300hp and preferably black. You get thrown out of the PTA with anything less!

SUV owners can't win. Firstly its "Why have a 4wd when you don't go bush bashing EVERY weekend", now its "Why 2WD".

The reason some people ONLY buy SUV's is seating position. "Normal" cars (ie: sedans and hatchbacks) generally have a terrible seating position and aren't as good on fuel as everyone claims.

I'd rather have my wife's 4.5 litre V8 Landcruiser (our small city car) then have any family sedan. My parents have a Mitsubishi 380 and our Cruiser get 30% better fuel.

Commenter

NotSerious

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 11:53AM

people who buy 2WD SUV aren't after off-road capability. it's about sitting perched high up be able to spot traffic obstacle earlier...

have you done a driver's training course (not just your local L to P training) ?one of the things they taught is looking at traffic condition BEYOND the car in front of you.that way you can anticipate and brake earlier if you know traffic is going to slow down, saving brake, reducing sharp decelleration that could end up in collission, reduce fuel consumption, smoother driving etc.

and those who whinges they can't see past the car in front of them when everything else is a SUV, bollocks. I have been driving behind many SUVs in my low riding hatch and have not failed to see beyond the traffic in front of the SUVs and I don't need an x-ray vision. The only thing where you can't see the traffic beyond an SUV in front of you is when you're tailgating. Give a 2 second distance and see how much different it will make to your field of vision.

Commenter

Ryan

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 12:40PM

Just imagine how efficient it would be in a vehicle that didn't weigh two tonnes, I think that's the original poster's point... I agree, what a waste; as for your higher driving position excuse, what next to see over/through an SUV, a truck? Tank? Jumbo? If you need a higher driving position I respectfully suggest that that's not all you need....

Commenter

Problem?

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 12:42PM

NotSerious, dude, the 4.5 Cruiser is a diesel, of course you get better economy. While I'm at it, a bit inconsiderate to be driving that thing in the city, what with your diesel fumes and pedestrian-crushing ability. Did you switch the brain in gear before making that post mate?

Commenter

JT

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 12:52PM

it's only an OPTION. most people I'm sure will choose the 6 cylinder AWD option.Nothing wrong with having more options.

Commenter

C

Location

Date and time

May 30, 2013, 1:06PM

@seriously.So, you put the safety of others well before your own? Think not.

Instances of large vehicles running down kids in driveways, albeit terrible, has lead to almost all cars now having rear cameras and parking/reverse sensors.

How many, X5's do you see make the news, as they've wrapped around a pole?